Envelope



June 24, 1952 A. l. KEGAN ETAL ,530

ENVELOPE Filed Oct. 25, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet l I 30/ fire/21hr?! Albert I{$012 M AZ 86 37$? June 24, 1952 Filed 001;. 25, 1947 A. l. KEGAN ET ALENVELOPE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 .izz/eniazs I June 24, 1952 A. KEG-AN ET AL2,601,530

ENVELOPE Filed 001;. 25. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 24, 1952 A. l. KEGANET AL 2,601,530

ENVELOPE Filed Oct. 25, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Customer-3s Address 3% 47fizz @6913- A/ben I a $.15 lz/alzeA. eel

June 24, 1952 A. l. KEGAN Em. 2,601,530

ENVELOPE Filed 001;. 23, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventors:

Alben [Kggazz 13 M 226 flflgeef J 2% June 24, 1952 A. KEGAN ET AL2,601,530

ENVELOPE Filed Oct. 25, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet s Patented June 24, 1952ENVELOPE Albert I. Kegan, Chicago, and Wayne A. Neely, Oak Park, 111.,assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to Samuel W. Kipnis,Chicago,

Ill., trustee Application October 23, 1947, Serial No. 781,550

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in envelopes, and moreparticularly to envelopes for conducting mail-order transactionsinvolving the transmittal of small objects, such as coins, keys, charms,buttons and the like.

Insits broad aspect, the present invention comprises novel envelopeblanks and envelopes made therefrom having dry sealing cohesive disposedon one surface of the blank only, An envelope blank conformingyto theinstant invention may be folded into a closure for shipment by one partyto another for the purpose of transmitting small 'objectssuch as coinsor keys, in which event the objects are securely retained betweenabutted portions of the cohesive, the closure being furthercharacterized by the provision of at least a double ply of envelopestock on either side of said objects. Advantageously, preferredembodiments of our invention may also serve as a means for'transmittingan advertising message or other copy from one party to another,- inwhich event the various portions of cohesive are enclosed within theclosureout of contact with each other. It is therefore apparent that asingle closure conforming to the present inven-- tion may be used, amongother things, both as a meansfor initially approaching a prospectivecustomer through the mail and as a medium for the return of thecustomer's order and money or the like.

Many business establishments,'and especially manufacturers of novelties,have found it advantag'eous to conduct all phases of sales transactionsthrough the mail, including the sending of coins and other smallobjects. In addition,

charitable organizations havefound it convenient to solicit moneycontributions through the mail. Wherever such transactions involve thetransmitting of small objects, it is of primary importance that they arenot shipped loose within an envelope, since this practice is apt toresult in damage to the envelope and. loss of the object during transit.Much of this damage may be traced to the heavy pressure exerted by theplatens ofautomatic stamp-cancelling machines. However, even manualcancellation of the stamp does notentirelyeliminate thisdifiicu1ty,"since it is not uncommon for such objects as coins to tearor abrade their way through theenvelope during other phases of postalhandling.

In an attempt to circumvent these difficulties, business and otherorganizations have resorted totheuse of mailing devices employingpockets, slots or other mechanical contrivances for holdingcoins, keysand similar objects. One disadvantage of these devicesresides in thefactthat as a mailing device they can be shipped only one way, theusualpractice being to enclose the objectretaining device-within a second,separate envelope for purposes of initially approaching the customer. Overand abovethetwinfold material cost involved, the use of two separateenvelopes necessitates the customers address on both the second envelopeobject and the mailing device since the sender must be identified withthe latter when it is returned. It follows that an additionaladdressing. operation is required when the material ordered by thecustomer is shipped to him. This entire procedure is 0b,- viouslyinefficient and. time consuming; however, it cannot be avoided whenusing the prior'art devices.

Another disadvantage inherent to all mechanical coin retaining devicesstems from the necessity of providing pockets, slots, etc., whichcorrespond to the exact size and shape of the coins or other objectwhich are to be inserted therein. This requirement constitutes aparticularly. serious drawback in the shipment of coins, since thecustomer must insert only the exact coin or combination of coins whichthe mailing device is capable of retaining. Ideally, however,thecustomer should be allowed to choose any one of-the totalv number ofcombinations of coins which add .up to the required sum of money;otherwise many potential customers may be lost if they do not have athand the exactcoin or combination of coins which the mailing deviceholds. Simply as.

a matter of manufacturing costs and envelope size, however, it isusually impractical to provide mechanical coin retaining devices withasuflicient number of slots, pockets, etc., to encompass.

all possible combinations of coins which add up to the required total.Thi shortcoming, moreover, is not of a secondary nature, since con,-venience to the customer is unquestionably the salient advantage ofmail-order transactions.

Our invention, on the other hand, eliminates all of the disadvantagesinherent to mailing devices using mechanical contrivances 'to retaincoinsor thelike. Preferred embodimentsof our invention serve thedualpurpose of transmitting an. advertisingmessage to prospectivecustomers and providing the customer with a convenient means forreturning his order and money-or other articles. Advantageously, allembodiments of our invention transmit an almost endless variety of coinsor like articles safey through the mail by th simple expedient ofsandwichin them between abutted areas-of dry-sealing cohesive. Thus, ourinvention obviates the necessity of providing mechanical contrivanceswhich take the exact size and shape of the article to be shipped.structurally, each of these embodiments comprises a wall portion fromwhich a flap portion extends, the flap portion containing at least oneline of folding on either side of which is disposed cohesive. The wallportion may be used to either separate the cohesive upon folding or,alternately, act as a wrapper or reinforcing flap when the cohesive isbutted together. At the same time, this novel arrangement permits theaddresses of the two communicating parties to be arranged on the blankin such a manner that the address of the sender is always within theenvelope proper.

It is an object of our invention, therefore, to provide a dual purposeenvelope blank which may be optionally folded either for the purpose ofconveying a printed or written message through the mail, or for thepurpose of conveying coins or other small articles through the mails.

Another object is to provide an envelope for shipping coins, keys orsimilar objects through the mail without damaging either the envelope orarticle contained therein when the envelope is processed through a stampcancelling machine.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a dual purposeenvelope for mail order transactions or the like in which the customersaddress, as initially placed on the closure by the vendor for thepurpose of transmitting said closure to the customer, may be used as ameans of identifying the customers order upon return of the closure,and, in addition, may also be used to address merchandise ordered by thecustomer.

Another object of our invention is to provide an envelope blank of theclass set forth in the above objects which is adapted to automaticmachine folding and processing.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide envelope blanksand envelopes made therefrom for transacting mail-order business whichare safe, convenient to use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

In order that our invention may be more fully disclosed, reference ishad to the accompanying drawings which illustrate envelopes and envelopeblanks embodying the foregoing and such other principles, advantages orcapabilities as may be pointed out as this description proceeds, or asare inherent in the present invention. For purposes of clarity inexposition, the following description is explicit, and the accompanyingdrawings are detailed, but it is distinctly to be understood that saidexposition is illustrative only, and that our invention is notrestricted to the particular detailsrecited in the Specification orshown in the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are front and rear elevational views, respectively, ofone embodiment of the instant invention;

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a preferred method of manufacturingthe embodiment of our invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 from a web ofpaper in a single continuous operation;

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views in perspective illustrating steps infolding the embodiment shown in Figure 1 for mailing to a prospectivecustomer;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a closure tab which may be used tosecure the folded envelope of Figure 7 for shipment to the customer;

Figures 9,10, 11 and 12 are views in perspec- 4 tive illustrating stepswhereby the customer folds the embodiment shown in Figure 1 forreturning coins or the like to the vendor, Figure 11 having portionsthereof broken away to illustrate the manner in which coins or the likeare positioned within our invention;

Figure 12a is a sectional side elevational section taken along the linel2a-l2a of Figure 12;

Figures 13 and 14 are front and rear elevational views, respectively, ofa second embodiment of our invention;

Figure 15 illustrates schematically a preferred method of cutting theembodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14;

Figures 16, 1'7, and 18 are views in perspective illustrating apreferred sequence of operations whereby the embodiment shown in Figure13 is folded for shipment to the customer;

Figures 19, 20, and 21 are views in perspective illustrating a preferredmethod by which the customer folds the embodiment shown in Figure 13 forshipping coins or the like through the mail;

Figure 22 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of ourinvention;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the embodiment shownin Figure 22 after said embodiment has been folded for storage orshipment to a customer;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the embodiment shownin Figure 22 after said embodiment has been folded for transmittal ofcoins or the like through the mail to the vendor;

Figure 25 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figure22 after said embodiment has been folded in the manner shown in Figure24;

Like reference characters designate similar parts in the drawings and inthe description of our invention which follows.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a substantiallyT-shaped envelope blank 30 particularly well suited to the shipment ofcoins or like articles. The envelope blank 30 is adapted to be creasedor scored along two horizontal score lines 3| and 32, which scoring,

divides the blank 30 into an inner portion 33, an outer front wallportion 35 and a closure flap 35. Adjacent the free end of the closureflap 35 is a gummed area 36 preferably composed of a water solubleadhesive. The envelope blank 30 may be further folded along the twovertical score lines 37, 31, which lines act to divide the inner portion33 into an inner rear wall portion 38 and two retaining flaps 39, 39. Weprefer to dimension the envelope blank 39 such that the width of theretaining flaps 39, 39 is somewhat greater than one-half the widthbetween the vertical score lines 31, 31'. The advantages derived fromthis particular proportioning will be more apparent as this descriptionproceeds.

The blank 30 is entirely composed of plain envelope stock. It issubstantially imperforate, that is, devoid of any of the slits andsimilar coin retention devices previously used in paper envelopes andthe like. It is also single-ply, that 'is, devoid of such otherstructural features as cardboard walls punched out for certain coins andlaminated with paper or the like on one side of the punch holes. Suchconventional slits or punch holes or the like were expensive andnevertheless insecure and cumbersome. We have discovered thatconsiderable improvement and savings can be achieved as compared withsaid earlier devices, by a modified adaptation of principles disclosedin Patent No. 2,168,873 issued on'August 8, 1939, to Albert I. Kegan,co-inventor herein, and entitled Dry Sealing Container, and Patent No.2,329,055, issued on September '7, 1943, to the same A. I.Kegan,-entitled Envelope or The Like. The deviceof said Patent 2,168,873has been modified extensively as to materialused, configuration thereof,imprinting thereon and otherwise and likewise the device of Patent2,329,055 has been modified greatly as to the manner of combining andutilizing the'different materials, the configuration. of the envelopeblank, and various'other features. We believe that in thismannertherehas been produced a novel, unitary, remailable, .tamperproofmailing device-in accordance with the principles. andobjects statedabove. The inner portion 33*contains a dry sealing area 40thereonpreferably of the configuration shown .inlFi'gure 1... By .theterm dry sealing area is meant those surfaces sotreated that portionsthereof cohere to. similarly treated portions but do not cohere tountreated surfaces. In our invention, we prefer to use repeat sealingcompounds sothat-the folded envelope maybe opened conveniently. Whileany'repeat sealing cohesive may beused, the different latex aqueousdispersions set forth in said Patent No. 2,329,055, issued September 7,1943, to Albert I. Kegan, are particularly advantageous, since theypossess superior dry sealing characteristics, aredurable', andarecomparatively simple to apply to envelope surfaces. The polyvinylacetate. emulsions set forth in Patent No. 2,371,001., issued to RaymondStone onMarch 6, 1945, may alsobe used toadvantage as a. dry sealingcompound in conjunction with our invention. Emulsionsof polyvinylacetate yield a coatinghaving a soft and appealingtexture and, inaddition, envelopes coated with such compounds may bestored for extendedperiods of time without the dry sealing areas losing, their tenaciousproperties.

The reverse side of the envelopeblank 30 is illustrated in Figure 2,said side forming'the exterior. of. the envelope blank both when theenvelope blank 30. is folded for.shipment to, av potential customer andwhen said customer refolds it for return shipment. Hence,,the address ofthe potential customer ispreferably placed on the inner rear wallportion 38 of the envelope blank 30 while the vendors return address ispreferably placed on the exterior of the outer front wall portion 34.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a preferred method of cutting theenvelope blank 30 from a web or roll of paper stock 4|. It is apparentthat this particular method of grouping the blanks 30 results in ahighly efiicient utilization of the paper stock, since the only wasteincurred is that due to tapering the closure flaps 35 and the retainingflaps 39, 39. Furthermore, the inter-locking of the alternate rows ofthe blanks 3!] permits the'dry sealing cohesive compound to becalendered, sprayed, oriotherwise applied in two continuous strips asthe paper stock 4| moves continuously in the direction indicated. Afterapplying the cohesive, the paper stock 4| is preferably passed over asource of heat todrive excess moisture from the cohesive compound andthereby assist in setting the same. After the coated paper stock 4|passes the heating'station, it may be conveniently cut into envelopeblanks of the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. If desired,advertising matter may beprintedon the paper stock either prior'toorafter theaplplication of the cohesive, since the cohesive upon settingis transparent and does not block off any printed matter.

.When the envelcpeblank 30 is folded for shipment to a prospectivecustomer, itis desirable that the various portions of the cohesiveareas40 do not come in contact with each other. It is also desirable that thefolding sequencebe adaptable to automatic machine folding. The foldingsequence shown in Figures 4 through 7 lends itself well to both of theserequirements; The first step of this preferred method comprises foldingthe closure fiap 35 either manually or by machine about the horizontalscore lline 3-l until the flap 35 abuts the outer front wall portion-34. The outer front wall portion 34 and the closure fiap 35 are thenfolded about the score line 32in the manner shown in Figure 5. Afterthis operation is completed, it is apparent that the dry sealing areasbounded by the vertical score lines 31, 37 and the gummed area 36 areboth shielded by at least one layer of paper. Accordingly, when theretaining flaps 39,39 are folded about the score lines 31, 31 as shownin Figure 6 all of the cohesive areas 40, as well as the gummed area'35, is enclosed within and adequately protected by the external layersof the folded envelope blank 30.

Advanta-geously, the entire foregoing folding technique is progressive,i. e., all folding steps are in the same rotational direction withrespect to the inner rear wall portion .38. For that reason, it isparticularly well adapted to automatic machine folding. After foldingthe blank 33 either by manual or machine methods it" is sealed. Oneexemplary means of sealing the foldedblank 30 is the closure seal 42shown in Figure81- A plurality of perforations 43 traverse the closureseal 42 in a V-shaped configuration. Those portions of the closure seal.2 extending outwardly from the perforations 43 are preferably coatedwith a permanent adhesive and constitute two gummed areas 44, 44. Theother portion of the closure seal 42 is uncoated and constitutes a tab45. To seal the folded envelope 30, the gummed areas 44, 44 are firstmoistened and then the closure seal 42 is straddled across the retainingflaps 39, 39. The tab 45 is uncoated and for that reason can be readilygrasped by the fingershence, when desired the seal maybe easily brokenby simply stripping the tab 45 away from the gummed areas 44, 44 alongthe perforations 43. After the folding and sealing operations arecompleted, the next step comprises plaeing the customers address uponthe folded envelope. This operation is conveniently performed by anaddressograph machine, although a typewriter may also be used toadvantage.

The customer, upon receiving the folded envelope 3|],pulls the tab 45,thereby breaking the seal, and then unfolds the envelope blank. Theenvelope blank 30 already contains the name and address of the customerand for that reason the mere return of the blank 30 identifiesthecustomer. Hence, our novel envelope blank 30 both eliminates the usualnecessity on the part of the customer of filling in an order blank andeliminates'entirely errors arising due to illegibility of addressing,incomplete identification of the customer, etc. To pay for themerchandise being ordered, the customer preferably places the requiredsum of money on the cohesive area 40 as shown in Figure 9. The requiredsum of money may, of course, be composed of-different combinationsof'coins. When the retaining flaps 39, 39 are folded over along thescore lines 31, 31 and pressed into contact with the inner rear wallportion 38, the paper surrounding the coin or coins is securely coheredtogether. Thus the coins 46, 46 are enveloped in the manner shown inFigure 10. After the flaps 39, 39 are folded over, the entire innersection is hinged about the score line'32 so that the flaps 39, 39 abutthe outer front wall portion 34. Following this folding operation, theenvelope blank 38 is sealed by moistening the gummed area 36 andpressing the closure flap 35 against the inner rear wall portion 38.

Advantageously, the surface of the inner rear wall portion 38 whichcarries the customers address is completely enclosed upon folding theblank 30 in the above manner. Conversely, the surface of the outer frontwall portion 34 which carries the vendor's address and return postage orpermit legend, and which also is enclosed during the initial transmittalto the customer, is posted on the exterior of the envelope. Thus nofurther addressing or franking of the envelope is necessary so that thecustomer need only drop the folded envelope blank 38 into a mail box.

The manner in which the coin 46 reposes within the folded blank 38during shipment is best shown in Figure 12a. It is apparent that thedouble thickness of paper on either side of the coin 46, and especiallythe cohered inner portion, gives ample protection against rough orcareless postal handling. In manufacturing the envelope blank 30,moreover, it has been found advantageous to proportion the flaps 39, 39in such a way that they overlap one another slightly upon folding. Thisfeature acts to increase the envelopes resistance to bending and alsoacts to give the same appearance to the envelope whether it is empty orloaded. We have found that coin mailing envelopes constructed andprepared in the foregoing manner may be processed through stampcancelling machines without in any way damaging the folded envelopeblank 36 or otherwise impairing its utility.

The vendor, upon receiving the envelope from the customer, may open thefolded blank 30 and take out the enclosed money in a variety of ways.One preferred method is to first slit the envelope along the score line3|, strip off the closure flap 35 and then pull the flaps 39, 39 awayfrom the inner rear wall portion 38. When dry sealing cohesive compoundspossessing repeat sealing characteristics are used, the flaps 39, 39 mayreadily be pulled away from the wall portion 38 without tearing thepaper. And since edge portions of the inner portion 33 are not coatedwith dry sealing cohesive, these edge portions may be used as a tab toassist in separating the cohered surfaces, Because the enclosed coinsare not adhered to the dry sealing area they present no problem ofejection. It is of course desirable not to tear the wall portion 39,since the customer's address may then be clipped or stamped from theundamaged wall portion 38 and used to address the packaged merchandiseordered by the customer. However, tearing that portion of the wallportion 38 to which the closure flap 35 is glued is not objectionable,since the customers address is preferably placed in the lower section ofthe wall portion 38 as Shown in Figure 2. Thus when the closure flap 3!:is stripped away from the upper section of the wall portion 38, there isno danger of mutilating that portion of the wall portion 36 whichcontains the customers address. Advantageously, the reverse side of thatsection of the wall portion 38 which bears the customers address iscoated with repeat dry sealing cohesive (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) sothat the addressed section may be conveniently cohered to acorresponding dry sealing area on the shipping container.

Referring now to Figure 13, the envelope blank 41 illustrates a furtherembodiment of my invention. The blank 41 may be conveniently foldedalong two horizontal score lines 48 and 49. It is also adapted to befurther folded along two vertical score lines 58 and 5|, the horizontalscore lines 48, 49 and the vertical score line 58 dividing the blank 41into an exterior front wall portion 52, an exterior rear wall portion53, a closure flap 54, and a retaining flap 55. The vertical score line5| in turn acts to separate the retaining flap 55 into an interior rearwall portion 56 and an interior front wall portion 51. Both the wallportions 56 and wall portion 51 are preferably coated with a dry sealingcohesive compound of the class set forth hereinabove, the areas definedby this coating being designated by the numeral 58. In addition, theclosure flap 54 contains a gummed area 59 preferably composed of awater-soluble adhesive. Th mailing devices shown in Figs. 1 and 13 arequite similar in that each has a body portion 38 or 41 and a foldabletransverse extension 39 or 51 upon which the dry sealing cohesive iscarried.

Like the envelope blank 38, the blank 41 lends itself well to quantityproduction methods. As shown in Figure 15, the blanks 41 may becontinuously cut from a sheet of paper 6|. As the paper 6| moves to theleft, a single broad central band of dry sealing cohesive compound isdisposed thereon while the gummed areas 59 are applied intermittently.While Figure 15 illustrates a double row of alternatively spacedenvelope blanks 41, it is apparent that any even number of rows ofenvelope blanks may be processed in a similar manner from aproportionately larger web of paper.

Like the T-shaped envelope blank 30, the envelope blank 41 is adaptablefor shipment both to and from a customer. The manner in which theenvelope blank 41 is folded for shipment to said customer is shown inFigures 16 through 18. The initial step comprises folding the coinretaining flap 55 in the manner shown in Figure 16 either by manual ormachine methods, after which the folded flap 55 is hinged about thescore line 58 so that the interior front wall portion 51 abuts theexterior front wall portion 52. Next, the closure flap 54 is foldedabout the score line 48 so that it abuts the interior rear wall portion56. When this latter folding operation is completed, the envelope blank41 appears as shown in Figure 1'7. Since the gummed area 59 extends onlyalong the free end of the closure flap 54, it is apparent that theexterior rear wall portion 53 completely covers the gumming compounddisposed thereon. After completion of the folding operation, theenvelope 41 is preferably sealed by applying a closure seal 6| in theposition shown in Figure 18.

Upon receiving the folded envelope blank 41, the customer slits or tearsthe closure seal 60 and unfolds the envelope 41. The preferred mannerwhereby the customer refolds the blank 41 for returning both the orderand the required money to the vendor is shown in Figures 19 through 21.The initial step comprises placing the necessary sum of money, asrepresented by the coins 46, upon the dry sealing area 56, folding thefront wall portion 51 about th score line and lightly pressing the wallportion 56 and the wall portion 51 together toinsure securing of thecoins 46. Following this step, the folded flap 55 is hinged about thescore line 50, after which the blank 41 appears as shown in Figure 20.To complete the folding, the exterior rear wall portion 53 and theclosure flap 54 are folded about the score lines 49 and 48,respectively. The coin containing package is then sealed by moisteningthe gummed area 59 and pressing it against the exterior rear wallportion 53.

As in the case of the T-shaped envelope blank 30, the blank 41, whenfolded in the above designated manner, places a double thickness ofpaper on either side of the coins or other objects which are to beshipped. Advantageously, after the closur flap 54 is once sealed thecoins 46 cannot be extracted from the folded envelope except by slittingor tearing the blank 41. This feature is especially desirable since itprecludes thievery of money from the envelope during shipment. Also, itis apparent that the Vendors address and return postage are totallyenclosed during shipment to the customer; conversely, the customersaddress, as well as the cancelled stamp or postal legend, is totallyenclosed during shipment to the vendor.

Upon receipt of the sealed envelope 4'! from the customer, the vendorfirst slits the envelope along the score line 48, unfolds the envelopeto a position similar to that shown in Figure 19, and then peels theinterior front wall portion 51 away from the interior rear wall portion56 to obtain the enclosed money. Since the dry sealing area 58 does notextend across the full width of the retaining flap 55, the free end ofthe interior front wall portion 5'! is in effect a tab which the vendormay grasp to assist in this peeling operation. The customers address canthen be conveniently stamped or cut from the blank 41 and used toaddress the packaged merchandise delivered to the customer.

Referring now to Figure 22, the envelope blank 62 shown thereinillustrates yet another embodiment of the instant invention. Theenvelope blank 62 is essentially diamond-shaped and, like conventionaldiamond-shaped envelopes, affords a high degree of safety for shippingitems through the mail since all of the exposed edges are permanentlysealed. As shown in Figure 22, the envelope blank 62 is preferablycreased along two vertical score lines 63, 63, which score lines definethe inboard boundaries of the two outwardly extended side flaps 64, 64.The blank 62 may also be creased along the horizontal score lines 65 and66 which, along with the vertical score lines 63, 63, delineate arectangular front wall 61. That portion of the blank 62 extending abovethe score line 65 constitutes a closure flap 66. A bottom flap 69extends downwardly from the front wall 61 and is preferably divided by ascore line into an inner rear flap portion H and an inner front flapportion 12. The closure flap 68 and the inner rear flap portion Hinclude a top gummed area 13 and two side gummed areas T4, 14respectively, all of said areas preferably carrying a water-solubleadhesive. A dry sealing compound of the class designated hereinabove isapplied to the bottom flap 69 in the pattern shown in Figure 22. It willbe noted that the dry sealing area, designated as 75, does not extendover the entire surface of the inner front flap portion 12. Also thevertical dimensioning of the closure flap 68 is somewhat greater thanthat of the inner front flap portion 12. The advantages resulting fromthese two particulars will become more apparent as this expositionproceeds.

It is often desirable to box or store envelope blanks such as that shownin Figure 22 in a partially folded condition, in which case it becomesessential to fold the envelopes in such away as not to become attachedto one another. In the instant case, it is important that the drysealing area 15 does not come in contact with similar dry sealing areason other envelopes. Further, it is desirable to shield the area 15 fromdust and other impurities dispersed in the air. One manher in which theblank 62 may be folded for storage which satisfies these requirements isillustrated in Figure 23. In the arrangement shown, the closure flap 66completely covers the front portion 12, by virtue of its greatervertical length. Thus, the dry sealing area 15 is completely enclosedand shielded so that dust cannot settle upon it and reduce its cohesiveproperties. Advantageously, this latter folding ar rangement lendsitself well to automatic machine folding. Specifically, the bottom flapis initially folded about the score line 66 so that the dry sealing area75 abuts the front wall 61 and the closure flap 68. After thisoperation, the inner front flap portion 12 and the closure flap 68 aresimultaneously hinged about the score line 10 and the score line 65 is arotary direction opposite to that used initially.

To prepare the envelope blank 62 for shipment of coins or other objects,it is only necessary to reverse the foregoing folding operation,whereupon the blank 62 once again assumes the position shown in figure22. The coins or other objects are then placed upon the coated portionof the inner rear flap portion H. The inner front flap portion 12 isthen folded about the line of folding '10 and pressed against the flapportion ll, thereby enveloping and securely retaining the coins or otherobjects. Following this step, the two side flaps 64, 64 are folded aboutthe score line 63, 63 so that they abut that surface of the envelopeblank 62 upon which the water-soluble adhesive is disposed. Next theside gummed areas 74, 14 are moistened and the folded bottom flap 69hinged about the score line 66, thereby bringing the moistened areas 14,14 into contact with the side flap 64, 64. At this stage, if desired, aletter, check or other accompanying mater may be inserted into thepartially sealed envelope 62. The folding and sealing operation is thencompleted by moisteningthe top gummed area 13 and folding the closureflap 68 over and against both the side flaps 64, 64 and the inner rearfiap- T6. The appearance of the sealed envelope 62 is shown in Figure25. Since the closure flap 66 completely covers the iner front flapportion 12, a double layer of paper is positioned on each side of thecoins or other objects regardless of the manner in which they aresandwiched between portions of the dry sealing area 15. The appearanceof a coin 46 within the folded envelope blank 62 is illustrated inFigure 24. Removal of coins or the like from the folded blank 62 by thevendor'is, of course, expedited by the uncoated free end of the innerfront flap portion 12, since this tab-like portion may :be easilygrasped to facilitate pulling the flap portion 12 away from the innerrear flap portion H.

Yet another embodiment of the instant invention is illustrated by thesubstantially rectangular envelope blank 18 shown in Figure 26. A minordigression from a rectangular configuration is caused by the closureflap 11, said closure flap 11 being preferably hinged to the blank 18along the horizontal score line 18. The blank 16 is also adapted to befolded along a horizontal score line 19 positioned substantiallyintermediate the two horizontal edges of the blank 16. In addition, theblank 16 is preferably creased or scored along the vertical score lines88, 80 which score lines are positioned from the two vertical edges oftheblank 16 a distance equal to at least onequarter of the distancebetween said two edges. Thescore lines l8, I9, 88, 88 define a frontwall 8|, while the score lines 19, 88, 80 and the lower edge of theenvelope blank 16 define a rear wall 82. The envelope sections extendingsideways from the vertical score lines 88, 80 are in turn divided by thescore line 19 into lower side flap portions 83, 83 and upper side flapportions 84, 84. A dry sealing cohesive area 85 is disposed on the rearwall 82 and the side flap portions 83, 83, preferably in the patternshown in Figure 26. In addition the closure flap l1 contains a gummedarea 86 composed of a water-soluble adhesive. The reverse side of theenvelope blank I8 is shown in Figure 27.

The envelope blank 18 is particularly well suited to the transmittal ofrelatively heavy and irregularly shaped objects, as exemplified by a setof keys 81, 81. When the envelope is to be folded for shipment, the keys87, 8! are preferably placed on the dry sealing area 85 as shown inFigure 28. One of the keys 8! is shown already sandwiched between thele'fthand lower flap portion 83 and the lefthand portion of the rearwall 82. The other key 8'! placed on the righthand portion'of the rearwall 82 may also be sandwiched between abutted dry sealing surfaces uponfolding the righthand side flap portions 83, 84 about the righthandscore line 88. Following this operation, that portion of the envelopeblank 16 extending below the score line 19 is folded about said scoreline so that the lower side flap portions 83, 83 abut the upper sideflap portions 84, 84. The folded envelope blank I8 is then sealed bymoistening the gummed area 86 and folding the closure flap 1'! overagainst the rear Wall 82.

Upon folding and sealing the envelope T8, the

closure flap H is proximate to the enclosed keys 81, 81, therebyeffectively re-enforcing that portion of the envelope blank 76 whichgenerally receives the harshest treatment during automatic cancellationof the stamp or postal legend. Accordingly, it is apparent that theenclosed keys 81, 81' have in eifect a double layer of protective paperon one side thereof and a triple layer of paper on the other sidethereof.

When even greater protection of the enclosed device is desired, therectangular envelope blank 88 shown in Figure 29 proves advantageous.Many portions of the blank 88 have identical counterparts in theenvelope blank I6; accordingly, these corresponding parts aredistinguished numerically only by prime markings. For example, the frontwall portion 8| of Figure 26 is similar to the front wall portion shownin Figure 29, hence said wall portion of Figure 29 is designated by thenumeral 8|.

However, whereas the main body of the envelope blank 18 is dividedhorizontally only by the score line 19, the envelope blank 88 ipreferably adapted to be folded about the horizontal score line 89 aswell as the score line 18', that 12 portion of the envelope blank 88which falls below the score line 89 constituting a retainer flap 80. Theblank 88 is coated with dry sealing cohesive compound preferably in thepattern shown in Figure 29, these areas being designated by the numeral9|, 9|.

When the envelope blank 88 is to be used for mailing coins or the like,they are initially placed on those portions of the dry sealing areas 9|,9| which lie between the score line 19' and the score line 89. Theretainer flap 98 is then folded over against the rear wall portion'82',after which the side flap portions 84, 84, 83', 83' are hinged about thescore lines 88'. Following this step the entire folded portion of theblank 89 lying below the score line 19' is folded against the side flaps84, 84'. When this operation is completed,- it is apparent that theenvelope blank 88, with the exception of the closure flap H, is foldedinto a rectangular area which corresponds to that of the front wallportion 8|. Therefore the envelope blank 89 may be prepared for mailingsimply by moistening the gummed area 85' and sealing the closure flap l9against the rear wall portion 82.

Advantageously, objects contained within the folded blank 88 have threelayers of paper on each side therefor exclusive of the re-enforcingaction of the closure flap ll. This multiplicity of plies of paper oneach side of the object is particularly advantageous where rough-edgedor irregularly-shaped objects are being shipped. The usefulness of theblank 88 therefore extends to many fields in which conventional closureblanks, due to their fragile nature, have heretofore proven inadequate.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that all of the abovemodifications of the present invention are suitable for convenientlytransmitting small articles through the mail. In addition, theembodiments shown in Figures 1 through 21 may also be printed or writtenupon for the purpose of transmitting messages, advertising, etc. Theembodiment shown in Figures 13 through 24 give complete protectionagainst thievery or unintentional extraction of the article from thefolded envelope blank during shipment. Where rough-edged orirregularly-shaped objects are to be shipped, then the embodiment shownin Figures 26 through 28 is preferred. Regardless of the particularembodiment employed, however, all of these envelope blanks areinexpensive to produce, extraordinarily simple to use, and make possiblea greatly simplified mail order business procedure. However, while wehave shown and described in detail certain embodiments of our invention,it is distinctly to be understood that these embodiments have been givenby way of example only and that various changes and rearrangements ofthe details shown herein may be made without departing from the spiritof the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mailing sheet adapted to be used for twoway shipment between twoparties, wherein one shipment comprises sending a message to one party,while the other shipment comprises sending coins or other small objectsto the other party, said mailing sheet comprising: a rectangular wallportion and a foldable flap depending therefrom, dry sealing cohesiveapplied to corresponding areas of said foldable flap, a reinforcing flapextending from an edge of said wall portion and perpendicular to saidfoldable flap,

a sealing flap extending from that edge of said wall portion oppositesaid edge, and written material on said device including the address ofsaid one party on that surface of said wall portion which is acontinuation of that surface of said foldable flap to which saidcohesive is applied, and the address of said other party on the othersurface of said wall portion, said mailing sheet being so proportionedand creased that it may be (a) folded for shipment to said one partywith said corresponding areas out of contact with one another, saidaddress of said other party covered by said foldable flap, and saidfoldable flap interposed between said wall portion and said reinforcingflap, or (b) folded for shipment to said other party with saidcorresponding areas abutting one another to retain said coins or thelike inserted therebetween, said address of said one party covered bysaid foldable flap, said foldable flap interposed between said wallportion and said reinforcing flap, and said sealing flap sealed to saidreinforcing flap.

2. A one-piece mailing device which may be used by a first party toconvey a message to a second party, and thereafter used by said secondparty to transmit coins and other small articles to said first party,said device comprising: a wall portion, a flap integral with an edge ofsaid wall portion, said flap being foldable to surround said wallportion, at least one wing extending from said wall portion, said wingbeing foldable to overlie at least a part of said wall portion, and drysealing cohesive covering a portion of said wing and on that surface ofsaid Wall portion against which said cohesive covered portion of saidwing abuts upon folding, the abutting areas of dry sealing cohesivebeing sufficiently large to retain coins and other small articles placedtherebetween.

3. A shipping device adapted to be used as an envelope for shipment by avendor to a prospect, and adapted to be used thereafter as a combinationorder blank and closure for small objects for shipment by said prospectto said vendor, said device comprising: a substantially rectangular wallportion, a substantially rectangular flap integral with an edge of saidwall portion, said flap being foldable to surround said wall portion,one or more wings extending from said wall portion, said wings beingfoldable to overlie substantially all of said wall portion, dry sealingcohesive on one surface of said wall portion, and dry sealing cohesiveon those surfaces of said wings which are adapted to contact said onesurface of said wall portion, the abutting areas of dry sealing cohesivebeing sufficiently large to retain small objects placed therebetween.

4. An envelope blank for shipment to a prospect and reshipment withsmall flat objects such as coins, said blank including a firstsubstantially rectangular, imperforate, singleply wall portion ofenvelope stock with a printed address and a space for postalcancellation on one side of said first wall portion; a secondsubstantially imperforate, single-ply wall portion of the same stock,hinged to said first wall portion along a side of said first wallportion and having parts hinged together along at least one line, eachof said parts being slightly smaller than said first wall portion; a drysealing cohesive substantially covering such parts, on the side of theblank opposite that of said printed address, whereby folding of saidparts along said line provides a two-ply container and subsequentfolding of said portions along said side reinforces the container atleast by the first wall portion; one of said wall portions havingprinted matter and a space for a second address on the side of the blankopposite that of said printed address and also having a flap hinged toone of its sides and adapted to seal the blank as an envelope pursuantto folding of said parts along said line and subsequent folding of saidportions along said side.

5. An envelope blank for shipment to a prospect and reshipment withsmall flat rigid metallic objects, including a substantially T-shaped,imperforate and single-ply wall of envelope stock, with a printedaddress and a space for postal cancellation on one side of the leg ofthe T and printed matter and a space for another address and postalcancellation on the opposite side of the blank; a dry seal cohesivecoating on said opposite side, extending substantially across the armsand the top of the leg of the T; and a gummed flap hinged to the leg ofthe T and adapted to seal the blank as an envelope, pursuant to foldingof the arms over the top of the leg and subsequent folding of the bottomover the top of the leg.

6. An envelope blank as described in claim 5 wherein. the arms of the Tare slightly more than half as wide as the top of the T.

7. An envelope blank as described in claim 5 wherein the leg of the T isapproximately twice as high as the arms of the T.

8. An envelope blank as described in claim 4, wherein said two wallportions together form a substantially L-shaped figure, with the printedaddress and space for postal cancellation on one side of the angleportion of the L and printed matter and a space for a second address onthe opposite side of the blank; the dry seal cohesive substantiallycovering one arm of the L; the flap to seal the blank as an envelopebeing hinged to the other arm.

9. An envelope blank as described in claim 8 wherein the dry seal arm ofthe L is slightly less than twice as long as the rectangular angleportion of the L.

ALBERT I. KEGAN. WAYNE A. NEELY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 136,666 Orton Mar. 11, 1873666,924 DOpdorp Jan. 29, 1901 751,423 Throop Feb. 2, 1904 769,136Henderson Aug. 39, 1904 878,234 Bridmore Feb. 4, 1908 1,943,022 KosterJan. 9, 1934 1,965,389 Parr July 3, 1934 2,168,873 Cohen Aug. 8, 19342,169,436 Swift Aug. 15, 1939 2,362,496 Mess Nov. 14, 1944

